Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-01-13

HIS LABOR ENDED.
Detroit and Michigan Sustain Great Loss

Detroit and Michigan Sustain Great Loss.
John 8 Newberry died suddenly at his
homo In Detroit on the I'd inst. Mr. New
berry had been ailing for more than a
year, suffering from bronchial asthma,
with the common5complication OF heart
disease and also with a kidney disease.
During the last winter he went to New
York, where he was under charge OF sew
eral distinguished physicians. Later he
went >>Denver in futile search for health.
Last spriGS he returned to Detroit and
has since remained in the house. For
weeks past he has been confined to his
room.
Mr.. Newberry was born at Waterville.
Oneida county, N. Y, November Is, 1926,
about q month more than sixty years ago.
His parents were Elihu and Rhoda (Phelpsl
Newberry, natives of Windsor, Conn.,, and
he was descended from Thomas Newberry,
who emigrated from England aud settled
at Dorcester, Mass, early in the seven
teenth century.
Early in Mr.. Newberry's boyhood he re-
moved with his parents to Detroit and
thence to Romeo. At the latter place he
prepared for college at one OF the branches
OF the Michigan University, which existed
under the old system, later entered the
sophomore class of the University, from
which he was graduated with honor, being
valedictorian of his class-that OF 1915.
His first active life work was as civil
engineer, in which occupation he contin-
portion of this time in the construction
department OF the Michigan Central rail
way under Col. John M. Berrien. While
so engaged he aided in laying out the line
of road west of Kalamazoo, and was fond
Of telling in his later years of wealth and
independence, of his laborious tramps, in
snow, rain and summer heat through the
woods and marshes Of what was then
wilderness.
At the end of the two years named,
IL tran nd
level and began the study of the law in the
Office of Van Dyke & Emmons, a firm then
very near the head of the Detroit bar.
Completing his course OF reading, he was
admitted to the bar III 1858, and at once
began the practice of his profession.
He devoted himself especially to the prac-
tice of admiralty and maritime law, q
branch in which he speedily arose to
prominence in his own city and state and
won many substantial returns in a liberal
and constantly growing income.
While so engaged he compiled his IKE
ports of Admiralty Cases in the several
district courts of the United States"
which was devoted to cases arising on the
western lakes and rivers, and was the first
definite statement of the peculiar internal
admiralty law. This was published in New
York in 1857, but four years after his ad
mission to the Michigan bar.
In 1862 Mr.. Newberry for the first time
stepped aside from his profession and I'M
Willingly made the first movement Of his
wider career, organizing, in conjunction
with James Mcmillan and another, the
Michigan Car company, now one OF the
largest concerns of the kind in the world.
From that time up to the time of his
death his association with Mr.. Mcmillan
was constant, covering many enterprises
of stupendous magnitude which have been
almost uniformly successful and, in the
aggregate, enormously profitable.
Working thus together, the two, with
associates, varying in name and in degree
of interest, organized the Detroit Car
Wheel company, the Baugh Steam Forge
Works, the Fulton Iron az Engine Works,
the Missouri Car company of st. Louis;
the Detroit Mining company, the Vulcan
Furnace company at Newberry, Mich,
and many other enterprises, all of which
contributed to their great wealth.
Mr.. Newberry was president OF the
Michigan Car company and the Detroit
Car Wheel company, OF the Detroit Iron
Mining company, and of the Railroad
Elevator company. He was vice-president
of the Fulton Iron & Engine company and
of the Vulcan Furnace company.
In addition, he was director and secreta-
ry and treasurer of the Detroit Bay City
& Alpena railroad company, director of
the Detroit. Mackinac Il Marquette railroad
company and wa; director of and heavily
interested in the Detroit & Cleveland
Steam Navigation company, the Ham
tramck transportation company, the De-
troit Transportation company and the De-
troit National Bank.
These were by no means all of Mr.. New
berry's important interest. His money
was invested in many states and his name
is on the officers and directors list of SO
many companies that il would have puZ-
zled him to recall them all, but these give,
perhaps, a sufficient illustration of the
statement already made, as to the weav-
ing Of his life into the fabric of Detroit's
material life.
In 1862 MIR. Newberry was appointed by
President Lincoln United States provost
marshal for Michigan, being the first to
hold that office. He served until 1864. hav-
ing charge of two drafts and the enrolling
men and substitutes. In 1862 he was elect
ed a member of the Detroit board of edu-
cation for the seventh warl. This was his
first civil Office When in 1881 the compo-
sition of President Garfleld's cabinet was
a matter Of conjecture and surmise, his
name was prominently connected with the
portfolio of the navy. There is no doubt
that it was seriously considered by the
president.
publican nomination for representative in
congress, and was elected, receiving 1854
votes, to 1857 for Gen. Alpheus s. Will
liams, democrat, and $3.50 for John Heff-
ron, Greenbacker. Mr.. Newberry served
one term with high credit, his wide legal
and business ability enabling him to grasp
the details of legislation with readiness
uncommon to new member, and giving
him especial value in committees. At the
expiration Of his term he declined renomi-
nation on account of his business.
His last public act was to join James
Mcmillan in a grand act of benefcence,
each giving 500 200 to the endowment OF
homeopathic hospital in Detroit.
A close business and personal friend esti
mates the estate of MIR. Newberry at 49,
100000.